Recorded presentation

Thomas J. Songer, PhD, Shirley Fitzgerald, PhD, and Katherine Rotko, BS. Center for Injury Research and Control, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Suite B-400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 4126482600, tjs@pitt.edu

Purpose: Little is known about transportation safety for persons using wheelchairs. This report identifies the motor vehicle crash involvement and injury frequency of a large cohort of wheelchair users.

Methods: The transportation experiences of 600 individuals who use a wheelchair as their primary means for mobility was obtained through a telephone interview. Questions addressed transportation use as a driver/passenger, vehicle type (private or public), seating (vehicle seat/wheelchair), and the number of crashes and injuries incurred in the previous three years. Subjects were; average age: 44.2 years, 50% male, average duration of use of wheelchair: 16.9 years. 32% reported a disability due to a previous spinal cord injury (SCI).

Results: Overall, 42% drove, 87% were passengers in private vehicles, and 61% in public transportation. Crash involvement was highest in drivers (23.8%) compared to private (8.0%) and public (6.4%) passengers. Persons with SCI reported more crashes while driving (p=0.044) than those without SCI. Persons using wheelchairs as seats reported more crashes than those transferring to vehicle seats (drivers, p<0.05; private passenger, p<0.05). Reported injuries from sudden braking and sharp turns were highest in public (14.4%) and private passengers (11.0%), drivers (6.1%). Differences existed in injuries by type of seating for private passengers (higher in persons seated in wheelchairs, p<0.01).

Conclusions: For wheelchair users, crash involvement is higher among drivers than passengers. Conversely, injuries in non-crash situations are more frequent in passengers. Persons remaining in wheelchairs in vehicles appear to be at a greater safety risk. Drivers with SCI report higher crash frequencies.

Learning Objectives: Participants we learn

• the manner in which persons with disabilities may be at injury risk in motor vehicle transportation
• the frequency of crashes and injuries occurring among persons with disabilities
• the factors related to crashes and injuries in persons with disabilities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation